* OLD *- Version 1.02 install disk

[jimbob]

Still in Beta testing, Only download if you have patience. This disk does not work every time.

The *NEW* version 1.02 installer is now available

To download NEW version, please first read the instructions here:

http://www.osoffice.co.uk/sb_install_disc_info.html

Then download here:

http://www.osoffice.co.uk/linux/iso/sb01.02-beta.iso


Please include bugs and feedback about version 1.02 here.

And let us know how you get on - all feedback gratefully received - if you have any issues, please advise which model RaQ (type, HDD, Memory) you have and what were the symptoms of the problem.

Jimbob

[MarkrM]

It did seem as though you have applied more information on the LCD? either that, or I wasnt paying enough attention to the beta1 install

well done

[etolentino]

don't know if it is just me but i have always gotten:

/etc/sysconfig/i18n permission denied

when logging on via ssh. i would always have to change the perms to get rid of the message. thought maybe it could be done as part of the post install scripts if there is any.

also the named directory in:

/var/named/chroot/var

is different perms than the rest, much like it has been in the regular CentOS/BQ setup. the named directory needs to have the group writable perms for secondary ns to work.

i have installed on 3 raqs from AMD 300Mhz to 450Mhz w/256 cache, from 256MB to 1GB. i have just finished my first install with Raid 1 and works fine. i have yum update the testing repository just fine with updates to dovecot.

no issues yet. will update as i progress with more testing.

[jimbob]

Thanks Elmer, I was wondering where that error went lol

THe post install scripts do actually chmod that file... but i think it is before it exists or something lol

ooops

Anyway, I want to get this list of bugs together, so that the next version is even better.

Really pleased that you are having success with this.

James

[maxxnet]

kernel panicked on the first try, went through on the second try.

one thing that i noticed:
the kernel obviously doesn't support the installed amount of ram. i have 1,5gb in this machine, dmesg sais

"Warning only 896MB will be used.
Use a HIGHMEM enabled kernel.
896MB LOWMEM available."

is the current installer based on Nu-CentOS-BQ-4.3.iso ?

[etolentino]

right now it is plain vanilla.

the motherboard must be able to support the amount of memory you are trying to put in as well. these raqs irc, officially supported 512MB, unofficially 1.0GB.

[maxxnet]

true for the raq3/4, but the 550s support more.

[etolentino]

did not realize that you were talking about a 550. i guess you probably would not have gotten it to even install if you put 1.5GB on a RaQ 3/4. i thought that they had to be equal pairs, but never really tried, i did not have a 1 gig module.

[etolentino]

i am noticing that when the install is finished, it is best to log in and reboot your machine instead of immediately trying to change your IP address. it would always hang on unmounting NFS if this was not done. also, yum update does not hang when running transaction test. the initial wizard has a tendency to hang sometimes if not rebooted first.

anyone else make this observation?

[Hisashi]

Hello.
i did myself this weekend to install strongbolt ver1.02 to my raq3
whisch is like this spec..(500Mhz/512MB/40GB)

My raq3 flashrom version was something like 2.9.XX. Also, i've installed
RaQ550 OS to raq3, it was no problem.

And then, when i have tried to install strongbolt, i needed to upgrade
rom version for strongbolt ver1.02..2.10.3-ext3?, i don't remember.

LCD was shown like this.

Update raq3
yes_no

I thought strongbolt install program could recognize my raq spec.
so, i choosed yes, and push E bottom. after few min, it shown like this.

Rom Update
Complete

It seemed to be fine, after this message, LCD message was gone.
So, i turned off my raq and restart.

After that, LCD was nothing. just you can see many square..

there is no cobalt logo.. i think rom was broken, so it's shown..i guess.
Maybe, install disk couldn't put specific rom image to my raq3...so.
I've planned this weekend to remove broken rom to new one!

[jimbob]

Hi Hisashi,

I might be wrong, but I think it successfully flashed your rom, and your rom is not dead.

I think that it has defaulted to "Language = English", It might be possible to re-flash!

Any Japanese developers want to help me out here?

[Hisashi]

Hi,jimbob.
thank you for replying my post.

Today, i have tried to see console message, i mean i did conect rs232c
cable to serial port1... but, that raq couldn't show any message.

Always, LCD shown many squares only.
and i've tried to push S botton, when i truned on raq,
but it doesn't work at all.

I think there's no way to re-flash this rom.

[Bill Palos]

See if it helps to remove the battery and put it back in ...
also remove / reinsert the memory too.. sometimes the contacts on
those need to be cleaned.

[Hisashi]

Thanks for advise me.
I did turn off and re-install memory module and also power supply...
But it didn't work at all. Well, i think this raq is totally dead.

Otherwise, i found my raq3 rom chip was ST something...
not AMD, intel. Maybe this is the reason why failed flash my rom.
flashtool's version?

Anyway, i'll replace this rom to new one.

[jimbob]

Hi Hisashi,

I have failed rom flashes in the past, and usually the LCD will be clear when you power on.....

Have you verified your com cables

Maybe I am just grasping at straws..

Have you had any success with other raqs?
Perhaps I should put a warning on, that it is not currently suitable for Japanese raqs?

Jimbob

[Hisashi]

Hi, jimbob
Thanks alot for replying me.

I have many Japanese raq3/4's. and i've installed strongbolt 1.02
many. Almost of it was successed with out that raq3.

In Japan, i see many pepole are trying to install strongbolt 1.02
and they are fine. So, i think strongbolt install disk would br fine to
Japanese raq's too.

[jimbob]

Great news!

Excellent, I am pleased that it works ok (excpet for your poor raq3)

Maybe you can help me to get more of the Japanese users to join the forum? I really need the feedback..

Jimbob

[cserpent]

Hi.. I've got one of those RaQ4Rs that goes into Kernel Panic and there I'm stuck!

The Boot from Net does go through part way but then it gets into a Kernel Panic afterwards!

ROM is on 2.3.40... any sigguestions?

[jimbob]

Welcome cserpent,

This is a common problem that I am trying to nail down at the moment.

Basically, the memory is not free when loading the network kernel. It only happens on some raqs (might be a rom type issue).

Anyway, this is fixed in the next release due soon. Please see the forum thread here:

http://www.osoffice.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=47

Jimbob

[deathazre]

It seemed to be fine, after this message, LCD message was gone. So, i turned off my raq and restart. After that, LCD was nothing. just you can see many square.. there is no cobalt logo.. i think rom was broken, so it's shown..i guess. Maybe, install disk couldn't put specific rom image to my raq3...so. I've planned this weekend to remove broken rom to new one!

I had many squares once, no logo, the problem was hard disk drive.

[Izzy]

First off, I apoligize for not registering. I don't feel the need just yet. I've used the Cobalt RaQ line for about 5 years now for near every web service needed, HTTP, FTP, MySQL, PHP, even IRC and unfortunately ASP. The interface was clearly antiquated yet not obselete, these little servers are workhorses... more like Shetland ponies - for their value they pack a punch.

My huge problem that led me to store the servers was the fact that Sun stopped providing security updates a few years ago. I left one running but it never saw the light of the internet for more than 2 years. All other options I saw of installing Debian or Gentoo through complex processes requiring a clunky Pentium I with close to no RAM were horrible.

I was directed to Strongbolt by another user with a stash of RaQs. Ease of installation... after crossing my fingers and manually updating the ROM before the installation - Strongbolt was easier than installing Windows (a joke). It did take a little fidding to make the IP change take effect, I didn't know I'd have to reboot. This server has basically been given a new life. And I can find security updates!

Constructive criticism? Complaints? Boot time is slow for a unit like this but then again it is a server OS that is not completely thinned down for the server. But the front panel buttons and the LCD need to be added into the next release! Thats the one feature I miss from the Cobalt OS. I had no other problems... yet.

Thanks for taking the time to help out all the legacy Cobalt users here!

[jimbob]

Hi Izzy,

First of all, let me thankyou for your kind comments! It makes us very happy when we get positive feedback.

Second, the next release is imminent. We hope to have it ready over the next few days!

The next release includes LCD support, (the same as a generic RAQ) and has dozens of other new features.

Thirdly, Please take the time to register on the forum.. I promise you that registering now will be a great benefit to you.

Finally, please contact me and let me know about the person with the "stash of raqs!" we are keen to get hold of some, our development box is going faulty.

Jimbob